Is Rigid Foam Good For Siding

Rigid foam insulation packs a lot of r value into a relatively thin package.

Is rigid foam good for siding. One or more layers of rigid foam insulation help reduce thermal bridging and increasing wall r values but foam with foil facing or thick layers amount to an exterior vapor barrier. A blanket of foam slows heat loss and it also slows drying. In reality rigid foam board which sometimes comes in fanfold usually only has an insulating factor of r 1 and does not add any appreciable insulation effect to your home. To secure the foam use two inch cap nails.

Bottom line is exterior foam insulation is a good investment. This foam board insulation is the rigid pink or blue panels that can be found at home centers in many different thicknesses. Some people use roofing nails but if a strong gust of wind gets under the siding it may not hold. Apply sealant around windows doors and trim.

Used in this way the foam lowers the loss of energy through framing members a phenomenon called thermal bridging and increases the overall r value of the roof or wall assembly. Eps is used under roofing over foundation walls and beneath siding. While meps is not as resistant to water damage xeps polyurethane and polyiso rigid foam make effective barriers against moisture although sometimes a facing made of aluminum foil may have be needed. Siding over rigid foam a vented drainable air space keeps wood siding dry and stable.

It provides an r value of 4 per inch of thickness and is the cheapest type of foam board insulation. It is often used as a layer of continuous insulation on exterior walls and in the roof. But it s possible that you are planning to replace your siding. If so it s a good opportunity to add enough extra rigid foam to make your wall safer.

The nails have a plastic cap that keeps them from damaging the foam. Using exterior rigid foam board insulation is a great way to make a building more energy efficient quieter and more likely to prevent moisture infiltration problems. And it warms the interior sheathing or framing enough to prevent moisture accumulation from the heated interior air in the winter. Fit the rigid foam insulation snugly and seal all seams with the specialized tape.

And even though some manufacturers call it rigid foam insulation for the purpose of vinyl siding it basically has the same insulating value as a piece of plywood. Rigid foam insulation is used as an alternative to open cell insulation and it used for many types of insulation from the foundation to the roof. It protects the wood sheathing or framing from any rain or water that leaks in under the siding. The method works for both new construction and remodeling and doesn t affect siding and trim details very much.